Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (26 page)

“What did she do to you?”

“It’s a long story and I will tell you when you get home, but I will say that she
and I are never going to be friends- ever again.”
Adrian snarls deeply and I am
sensing that he is becoming irritated and I am wondering if I should tell him
about the note? I know that eventually he will find out as I couldn’t keep it a
secret from him, but as for right now I don’t know if he should know. Sophie
and James are on their way to stay with us and I was surprised that Adrian
agreed to let them stay in our house. He is usually a very private person so for
him to let people into our space is such a big deal. I feel that if I break the news
to him about the note, then he will start acting strangely. I want everything to
run smoothly as I have missed Sophie so much, therefore I will keep the note a
secret form him until Sophie and James are safely out of London.

“That girl is a bitch, a proper stuck up, bitch.”
“That’s a little… intense.”
I state as Adrian practically shouts down the phone
his anger towards Katharine.

 

“She has made Jeff give up his job here at the company.”
“What?”
“Yes, he resigned today and now I am left hanging as I have lost my right hand
man.”
“I am sorry; I don’t know what has come over her lately.”
“I know what’s wrong with her!” Adrian says firmly as my heart begins to race.
“She doesn’t like you, she told me as much today.”
Adrian laughs down the
phone.

“I couldn’t care less if she likes me or not, but she doesn’t have the right to
manipulate Jeff into making a stupid decision. Notonly has he quit on me, but
he is threating to sue the company for millions.”
I feel guilty at Adrian’s words
as I know that his torment is at the hands of one of my friends. Katharine used
to be so carefree and nice, but now she has a heart of ice and she knows
exactly what she wants – money and power. I always knew that she wanted
more out of life, but to stoop to the levels she has is beyond a joke.

“On what grounds is he suing you?”

“He is claiming that I owe him millions because I took an unplanned break from
the company. He is saying that I left him to deal with everything on his own and
that I didn’t pay him as a CEO.”
My heart is racing as this is also my fault.
Adrian took a break from work because he came to New York to be with me. I
lured him away from his business and I am the reason that he is being sued. I
hate that I cause him so much anguish –why does he put with me?

“I am sorry, it’s all my fault.”
“Baby, why would think that this is your fault?”

“It’s my fault because you took a break from work so that you could be with
me. Of course this is my fault and I cause you so much torment, why do you
continue to stay with me?”

“Alanna, don’t you ever think like that. I would rather have no company than
be without you. You are the single, most important thing in my life. Don’t ever
feel that you cause me torment, if anything I am the one who causes you pain.
You stand by everything that I do and you stick with me when I tell you about
my secrets. I am thankful every day for you and I don’t want to hear those
words pass from your lips again, do you understand me?”
I smile at his words,
but it doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty. I gently close my eyes as I agree with
him as I don’t want upset him by disobeying his orders.

“I love you so much and I will always stand by you.”
“I…Love…you.”
Adrian says through clenched teeth. He always grits his teeth
when he shows emotion and I find it sexy as it shows his tormented side.

“Anyway baby, your friends are arriving at 5pm, I have arranged for a car to
pick them up and I shouldn’t be far behind them. Are you going to the
orphanage, today?”
“Yes, but don’t worry I will be home before five.”
I say as I rush out of the
kitchen and into the hallway. I grab my bag and car keys and I rush out of the
house as I continue my phone call with Adrian.

“Okay, please drive safely those roads are slippery today and your car is a
death trap on ice.”
I laugh at his words and then I ask him about William.

 

“Are we having William over, tonight?”
Adrian pauses before he answers and I
can hear is steady breathing as he considers his options.

 

“Do you think it’s a good idea to have him over when your friends are coming
to stay?
“I don’t think that they would mind, but if you feel that it would be awkward
then perhaps it’s for the best if he doesn’t come.But it’s totally your call.”

“Yes, well I will think about it and make a decision.”
Adrian’s voice is shallow as
he bids me goodbye. “
I will see you later and don’t forget drive safely and text
me when you get there.”

“Yes, yes, I will now bye.”
I jump in my car, start the engine and push my foot
on the gas pedal as I try to forget the drama that has unfolded today. I drive in
the direction of the orphanage with an image of Adrian in my mind.

Fourteen

My day at the orphanage starts out great. When I arrived I was met by a bunch
of excited, screaming kids. Every Monday I am faced with the same affection as
the children always state that they miss me terribly when I have my days off. I
always return their affection as I gush at how much I have missed them and if I
am totally honest, I probably miss them more than they miss me.

When I first arrive the children are usually eating their breakfast, but as I
arrived a little later than usual today, the kids have already eaten and now they
are on to their studies and play groups. The olderchildren sit at the computers
as Janet hovers over their shoulders. I really admire her and I just love her
sense of humour. If the children misbehave then shewill shout at them until
they do as she says and once they obey she is back to being their best friend.
The children respect her and they understand how much she has sacrificed to
look after them. Janet doesn’t have a life outside the orphanage she lives and
breathes for these kids and I admire her for that. She doesn’t seem to care
about the outside world and she would rather spend her nights mopping up
sick than out at some fancy restaurant. She knows that helping the children
and caring from them is the most satisfying thing that she could ever do.

I make my way out of the old, rustic kitchen and I head over to the smaller
children and I present them with a platter of fruit. Their little faces light up and
I am stunned because I have never met children before who actually like to eat
fruit. Penelope will not touch a fruit or vegetable and no matter how hard my
mom tries encourage her to eat healthy, she will not and she always wins
against my mom.

The children tuck into their snack and as I watch them I smile. I take in their
little faces and their smiles and I feel a sense of accomplishment. I feel that I
am helping them and that I am making a difference in their lives. I adore my
job here at the orphanage and I am thankful to Janet for giving me the
opportunity to help.

“Miss Alanna, why do you look… sad?” I hear a faint voice ask. I turn around to
see who the words have come from and that’s when Olivia flashes in front of
me. She looks concerned as she sits at the table, chewing on a piece of banana.
Her blonde hair is flowing and her big brown eyes are sparkling. She is so
beautiful and I could stare at her all day. As she stares at me I can see that she
looks, worried. I lean closer in towards her as I try to reassure her that I am not
sad.

“Sweetie I’m not sad,” I say smoothly, but Olivia isn’t buying my answer.

“Your eyes look funny, you have been crying.” I blush at her words – how can
she tell that I have been crying? I thought that I took care of my make-up but
obviously I haven’t. I scratch the bridge of my nose – nervously as I reply.

“I have been crying, but I’m fine,” Olivia drops her fruit down onto her plate
and she stuns me when she leaps into my arms. Her hands are wrapped
around my neck and she gently kisses my cheek.

“When I cry, Miss Janet hugs me and gives me a kiss and it always makes me
feel better.” I gently laugh at her words and thenI hold her tighter. I can feel
the warmth of her skin on mine and now with her affection, I cry again. Tears
are running from my eyes and they are soaking intoOlivia’s bright pink dress. I
squeeze her as I don’t want to let her go. She feels right in my arms and I feel
as if I… love her. I want to care for her and I want to give her the life that she
deserves.

After my emotional breakdown I head into the bathroom as I check my makeup. My eyes are red and are stinging and my cheeks are flushed. I quickly wipe
away my mascara with a soft tissue and then I splash some cold water onto my
face. I stare at myself in the mirror and I am little scared by what I see. My eyes
are red and heavy and my skin is very pale. I have cold sweat building on my
forehead and my lips are as dry as a cork. I frown at my reflection and then I
switch off the light in the bathroom as I burst out into the hallway.

I walk back along the hall and as I pass by Janet’s office, I can hear her talking
on the phone. Her voice is serious and very alarming, I move closer to the open
door and I gently lean my head against the wall as I try to listen in on what she
is saying.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” She saysfirmly down the phone. Her
voice is sharp and as I peek through the glass window of the door; I can see
that Janet is sitting at her desk. Her face looks tense and she is nervously
tapping her hand against the surface of the wooden desk. I quickly look away
as she begins to talk again.

“Please don’t make me do this, I feel strongly about her and I don’t want to
break the girls heart.” She says in a strong voice, but as I look at her again I feel
that she is fighting a losing battle. I duck my head away again as I fear that
Janet might catch me listening in on her phone call. I stand for another few
moments as Janet pleads with the person on the other end of the phone. After
several failed attempts to try to convince her mystery caller otherwise, she
agrees with whatever he or she has asked. Janet hangs up the phone and she
slams it onto her desk. I can’t help but wonder what has her so rattled and if I
am honest I would love to know what it is. After all I do work here now and if
it’s something regarding one of the children then I feel that I deserve to know. I
have become attached to every child and I would hate to think of them being
hurt.

As I begin to walk away from Janet’s door, she shouts on me and I blush when I
realise that she knows that I was eavesdropping.

“Alanna I know that you are there, please would you come in here a moment.”
I flush hot as I push the door open further and Iwalk into her large office. She
smiles at me and I blush again as I feel bad that Iwas listening in to her private
phone call. Janet alerts me to close the door behind me and to take a seat at
her desk. I do as she says and then I smile at her as I try to make up for what I
did.

“I need to talk to you about… something.” She sounds serious and I straighten
my face as I alert her to continue.

 

“Go on,” I say smoothly. Janet begins to fidget as she nervously bangs her pen
against the wood. I can feel my heart racing as I await her words.

“I have been thinking about your work experience here and I feel that you have
gained enough experience now. I think that it’s time for you to move on and to
further your horizons. I will be sad to see you leave, but I feel that it would be
for the best.” My heart is pounding, how can Janet do this to me?

“I have only been working here for a few weeks and I haven’t had enough
experience yet. I want to stay and I want to help the children. Please don’t do
this to me.” As Janet frowns at me I realise that her phone call was about me.
Someone has called her and asked her to fire me. I scowl as I can’t believe this.
Who would do this to me? I stare at Janet as confront her on this.

“Someone called and asked you to fire me, right?” Janet looks down at the
table – nervously. “You have to tell me who it was.” Janet scowls at me as she
leans closer towards me. Her eyes are fixed on mine and her smile has faded
into a straight line. I stare at her as I try to hold back my tears.

“Yes you are right, but you still have to leave.”

 

“Why?” Janet considers her words before she talks and I impatiently wait her
next confession.

“Believe me dear, I don’t want you to leave, but it is for our own safety that I
must insist that you give up your job here at the orphanage.” I can’t take in her
words and my head is now pounding. I need answers and I need them quickly
as my heart is about to burst from my chest.

“Janet you have to tell me who has called you and exactly what they said. I
can’t leave until I know all of the facts.” Janet sighs and then she nods at me.
Her eyes have filled with water and I reach over and take her hand as she
explains everything to me.
“A chap called me and he said that he knows you and Adrian. He said that he
knew that you worked for me and he also said that he has been threatening
you. He told me that if I want to save your life then I must fire you from your
job. I am scared that he is genuine in his threats, therefore I must ask you again
to leave.” Janet squeezes my hand and as soon as her words pass from her lips,
I agree exactly with what she is saying. I have been threatened in so many
ways and I know that the danger that I am in is genuine and I have the scars to
prove it. I would never put anyone else at risk for the sake of me and especially
not Janet and the children of this orphanage, so I will quit my job as I don’t
have any other choice.

“I will go and say goodbye to the kids.” I begin to stand up from the chair, but
Janet pulls my arm and I land back onto the seat.

 

“I need to talk to about Olivia,” I immediately take notice of her words and I
listen intently. “A family has approached us about adopting her.”